L. M. Thompson
A5011368815- Planetary Science and Exploration
- Astro and Planetary Science
- Space Exploration and Technology
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Paleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils
- Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology
- Geological and Geochemical Analysis
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
- Methane Hydrates and Related Phenomena
- Protist diversity and phylogeny
- Hydrocarbon exploration and reservoir analysis
- Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
- Marine and environmental studies
- Geochemistry and Geologic Mapping
- Nuclear Physics and Applications
- Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism Studies
- Ultrasound and Cavitation Phenomena
- Aeolian processes and effects
- Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Geochemistry and Elemental Analysis
- Marine Toxins and Detection Methods
- X-ray Spectroscopy and Fluorescence Analysis
- Radioactivity and Radon Measurements
- Marine and coastal ecosystems
Cawthron Institute
2021-2025
University of New Brunswick
2015-2025
University of Massachusetts Amherst
2025
University of Sheffield
2024
Trinity College London
2023
University of Cambridge
2022-2023
University of Fredericton
2022
Carnegie Institution for Science
2019
John Wiley & Sons (United States)
2018
Charles River Laboratories (Netherlands)
2018
The Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover has been traversing strata at the base of Aeolis Mons (informally known as Mount Sharp) since September 2014. Murray formation makes up lowest exposed Sharp group and is composed primarily finely laminated lacustrine mudstone intercalated with rare crossbedded sandstone that prodeltaic or fluvial in origin. We report on first three drilled samples from formation, measured Pahrump Hills section. Rietveld refinements FULLPAT full pattern fitting...
Abstract The sample analysis at Mars instrument evolved gas analyzer (SAM‐EGA) has detected water, H 2 , SO S, NO, CO CO, O and HCl from two eolian sediments nine sedimentary rocks Gale Crater, Mars. These detections indicate nitrates, organics, oxychlorine phase, sulfates are widespread with phyllosilicates carbonates occurring in select Crater materials. Coevolved (160 ± 248–2373 820 μgC (CO2) /g) (11 3–320 130 (CO) suggest that organic C is present Five samples temperatures consistent...
Abstract The Windjana drill sample, a sandstone of the Dillinger member (Kimberley formation, Gale Crater, Mars), was analyzed by CheMin X‐ray diffraction (XRD) in MSL Curiosity rover. From Rietveld refinements its XRD pattern, contains following: sanidine (21% weight, ~Or 95 ); augite (20%); magnetite (12%); pigeonite; olivine; plagioclase; amorphous and smectitic material (~25%); percent levels others including ilmenite, fluorapatite, bassanite. mass balance on Alpha Proton Spectrometer...
The Mars rover Curiosity in Gale crater conducted the first-ever direct chemical and mineralogical comparisons of samples that have clear parent (unaltered) daughter (altered) relationships. mineralogy chemistry within adjacent to alteration halos a sandstone formation were established by Chemistry Mineralogy (CheMin) X-ray diffraction (XRD) instrument Alpha Particle Spectrometer (APXS), respectively. Stimson sandstones unconformably overlie Murray mudstone represent youngest stratigraphic...
Abstract The first four rocks examined by the Mars Science Laboratory Alpha Particle X‐ray Spectrometer indicate that Curiosity landed in a lithologically diverse region of Mars. These rocks, collectively dubbed Bradbury assemblage, were studied along an eastward traverse (sols 46–102). Compositions range from Na‐ and Al‐rich mugearite Jake_Matijevic to Fe‐, Mg‐, Zn‐rich alkali‐rich basalt/hawaiite Bathurst_Inlet span nearly entire FeO* MnO data sets previous Martian missions meteorites....
Abstract The Curiosity rover observed high Mn abundances (>25 wt % MnO) in fracture‐filling materials that crosscut sandstones the Kimberley region of Gale crater, Mars. correlation between and trace metal plus lack elements such as S, Cl, C, reveals these deposits are oxides rather than evaporites or other salts. On Earth, environments concentrate deposit minerals require water highly oxidizing conditions; hence, findings suggest similar processes occurred on Based strong association...
Abstract Modern Martian dust is similar in composition to the global soil unit and bulk basaltic Mars crust, but it enriched S Cl. The Alpha Particle X‐ray Spectrometer (APXS) on Science Laboratory Curiosity rover analyzed air fall science observation tray (o‐tray) Gale Crater determine oxide compositions. o‐tray has highest concentrations of SO 3 Cl measured (SO 8.3%; 1.1 wt %). molar S/Cl (3.35 ± 0.34) consistent with previous studies soils (S/Cl = 3.7 0.7). Fe also elevated ~25% over...
Abstract Diagenetic silica enrichment in fracture‐associated halos that crosscut lacustrine and unconformably overlying aeolian sedimentary bedrock is observed on the lower north slope of Aeolis Mons Gale crater, Mars. The diagenetic colocated with detrital yet extends into a considerably younger, draping sandstone, implying postdates enrichment. A causal connection between implies water was present subsurface crater long after deposition sediments it mobilized amorphous precipitated along...
Abstract The Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover performed coordinated measurements to examine the textures and compositions of aeolian sands in active Bagnold dune field. are rounded subrounded, very fine medium sized (~45–500 μm) with ≥6 distinct grain colors. In contrast examined by a dust‐covered, inactive bedform called Rocknest soils at other landing sites, darker, less red, better sorted, have fewer silt‐sized or smaller grains, show no evidence for cohesion. Nevertheless,...
Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity rover data are used to describe the morphology of desiccation cracks observed in ancient lacustrine strata at Gale crater, Mars, and interpret their paleoenvironmental setting. The indicate subaerial exposure facies Sutton Island member Murray formation. In association with ripple cross-stratification possible eolian cross-bedding, these a transition from longer-lived perennial lakes recorded by older younger characterized intermittent exposure....
Abstract This paper provides an overview of the Curiosity rover's exploration at Vera Rubin ridge (VRR) and summarizes science results. VRR is a distinct geomorphic feature on lower Aeolis Mons (informally known as Mount Sharp) that was identified in orbital data based its texture, topographic expression, association with hematite spectral signature. conducted extensive remote sensing observations, acquired dozens contact targets, drilled three outcrop samples from ridge, well one sample...
Abstract Mineral‐filled fractures (veins) are valuable indicators of deformation and fluid flow within a sedimentary package. Information obtained from vein morphology, texture, chemistry may elucidate the sequence nature postdepositional events. Additional information patterns interactions between veins host rock provides insight into fracture formation mechanism(s). The widespread occurrence other diagenetic features in record preserved Gale crater, Mars, indicates that fluids were...
The Mars Science Laboratory rover, Curiosity, explored the clay mineral-bearing Glen Torridon region for 1 Martian year between January 2019 and 2021, including a short campaign onto Greenheugh pediment. sought to characterize geology of area, seek evidence habitable environments, document onset potentially global climatic transition during Hesperian era. Curiosity roved 5 km in total throughout Torridon, from Vera Rubin ridge northern margin acquired samples 11 drill holes this conducted...
Abstract For the first time on Mars, crystalline magnesium‐sulfate mineral starkeyite (MgSO 4 ‧4H 2 O) was definitively identified using CheMin X‐ray diffraction instrument at Gale crater. At Canaima drill site, along with amorphous MgSO ‧ n H O are among “polyhydrated Mg‐sulfates” interpreted in orbital reflectance spectra. Mg‐sulfates good climate indicators as they very responsive to changes temperature and relative humidity. We hypothesize that, through evaporation, formed end of brine...
Abstract We present Alpha‐Particle X‐ray Spectrometer (APXS) data for the active Bagnold dune field within Gale impact crater (Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission). derive an APXS‐based average basaltic soil (ABS) composition Mars based on past and recent from MSL Exploration Rover (MER) missions. This represents update to Taylor McLennan (2009) Martian facilitates comparison across sets. The is compositionally distinct ABS, with elevated Mg, Ni, Fe, suggesting mafic mineral enrichment...
Abstract Sedimentary rocks are composed of detrital grains derived from source rocks, which altered by chemical weathering, sorted during transport, and cemented diagenesis. Fluvio‐lacustrine sedimentary the Bradbury group, observed on floor Gale crater Curiosity rover its first 860 Martian solar days, show trends in bulk chemistry that consistent with sorting mineral transport. The group uniquely suited for provenance analysis because they appear to have experienced negligible cation loss...
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Abstract The Alpha Particle X‐ray spectrometer (APXS) on board the Curiosity rover at Kimberley location within Gale crater, Mars, analyzed basaltic sandstones that are characterized by potassium enrichments of 2 to 8 times estimates for average Martian crust. They most potassic rocks sampled Mars date. exhibit elevated Fe, Mg, Mn and Zn depleted Na, Al, Si. These compositional characteristics common other sedimentary APXS but distinct from landing sites meteorites. CheMin analysis a drilled...
For more than a decade, the CheMin X-ray diffraction instrument on Mars Science Laboratory rover, Curiosity, has been returning definitive and quantitative mineralogical mineral–chemistry data from ~3.5-billion-year-old (Ga) sediments in Gale crater, Mars. To date, 40 drilled rock samples three scooped soil have analyzed during rover’s 30+ km transit. These document mineralogy of over 800 m flat-lying fluvial, lacustrine, aeolian sedimentary rocks that comprise lower strata central mound...
Abstract The Curiosity rover has analyzed various detrital sedimentary rocks at Gale Crater, among which fluvial and lacustrine are predominant. Conglomerates correspond both to the coarsest sediments least modified by chemical alteration, enabling us link their chemistry that of source on Crater rims. In this study, we report results six conglomerate targets Alpha‐Particle X‐ray Spectrometer 40 ChemCam. bulk derived instruments suggests two distinct end‐members for compositions. first group...